Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant maritime regulations.

Work is performed under broad operational requirements, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of a knowledge of the basic techniques required to provide first aid to crew and/or passengers during a medical emergency on board a vessel. Provision of first aid in accordance with company procedures and limits of officer's/rating's responsibility is required.

Work requires appropriate skill in recognising and confirming the nature and extent of injury or illness and the provision of first aid within the limits of responsibility. First aid may be provided under remote direction and advice from shore-based medical advisers.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Medical first aid procedures may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather and loading
while underway or at anchor
during quarantine procedures when entering port

Medical emergencies may include:
heart attack
stroke
asthma
diabetes
epilepsy

Management of injuries on board a vessel may include:
external bleeding
an amputation
a foreign body in the eye
a penetrating chest wound
a nose bleed
internal bleeding
fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations
electric shock
asphyxia

Conditions requiring special first aid procedures may include:
explosion injuries
burns
poisons and envenomation
hypothermia and hyperthermia

Medicine resources may include:
vessel's medicine cabinet
first aid boxes
emergency first aid carry bags.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
Sections of relevant maritime regulations dealing with the administration of medical first aid on board a vessel
International Medical Guide for Ships
Medical Section of the 'International Code of Signals'
Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents involving Dangerous Goods
Marine Drug Guide
vessel's log
vessel medical records
shipboard patients' health records
drug register
instructions of relevant maritime, health and quarantine authorities related to the medical care of crew and passengers on board a vessel.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
the Australian USL Code
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory health and quarantine regulations
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Identify and prioritise the need for medical first aid in life-threatening medical emergencies
Administer medical first aid on board a vessel
Administer critical first aid procedures as directed from shore-based medical advisers
Manage medicine resources on board a vessel
Communicate effectively with others during medical emergencies and health care
Maintain medical records in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of an officer on a commercial vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant sections of maritime regulations
ISM Safety Management System procedures (where applicable)
Emergencies, injuries and medical problems that may occur on board a vessel and appropriate action, treatments and solutions
Relevant OH&S and health legislation and policies
Duties and responsibilities of the designated first aid officer on board a vessel
Medical first aid procedures
DRABC action plans for various first aid situations
Shipboard procedures for:
conducting an initial patient first aid assessment
managing injuries
managing medical emergencies
carrying out resuscitation techniques
managing medicine resources
Techniques for care of wounds
Ways in which disease can spread on board a vessel and ways of preventing the spread
Legal issues related to the administration of drugs and medicines on board a vessel
Knowledge of body structures and functions relevant to possible injury, illnesses and disease that may be encountered on board a vessel
Maritime communication techniques related to health care and receiving radio medical advice from shore-based advisers
Marine publications containing information on first aid and medical treatment on board a vessel.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of role plays, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to provide first aid to injured or ill crew and passengers and/or
assist in the real or simulated medical first aid procedures on board an operational vessel.
Note: Simulated first aid situations and assessments may require access to resuscitation mannequins, auxiliary resuscitation items, disposable gloves, bandages, pads, gauzes, slings, water squeeze bottle or tap, pictures of venomous animals/insects or preserved specimens, and blankets pillows and towels.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
providing medical care on board a vessel
identifying and evaluating medical problems and emergencies and taking appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to medical care on board a vessel
applying aseptic and other precautionary techniques when carrying out medical procedures on board a vessel
assessing operational capability of vessel and manoeuvring plant and equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant maritime regulations
OHS regulations and medical care policies and procedures
relevant medical and first aid instructions
shipboard safety procedures.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify injuries and medical incidents in accordance with established procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.